Three starlets set to take the Premier League by storm
One of the undisputed key strategies for fantasy football success is unearthing a hidden gem that will keep your points tally ticking over with the minimum of investment. And for that reason, it is important to be across the brightest stars arriving on the scene.
Many of those may be overseas imports or untested play-makers making the step up with a promoted side. But there are always players coming off the youth development conveyor belt at Premier League clubs, whether returning from loan or preparing to make their senior bow.
In this article, we highlight three players who have the potential to take the Premier League by storm in 2021 – and who could provide a handy points catalyst as a part of a more experienced wider squad.
Louie Barry – Aston Villa
Aged 17, Louie Barry, who is no relation to former Villa and England midfielder Gareth, has an excellent grounding in football following spells as a youth player with West Brom and Barcelona, before joining the Villains in 2020.
Barry made his senior debut in an FA Cup third round defeat to Liverpool at the start of 2020 and grabbed an equalising goal for his side. His performance attracted praise from Reds boss Jurgen Klopp, who described him as “a little Jamie Vardy”.
The striker or winger has earned international honours throughout his youth career, making the temporary switch to represent Ireland as a 15-year-old, before returning allegiances to England, the country of his birth, at under-16s level.
Billy Koumetio – Liverpool
One of Klopp’s own crop of youngsters, Billy Koumetio is another exciting prodigy with the potential to make an impact in the Premier League. The 18-year-old usually operates as a central defender and is a France under-18s international.
Koumetio joined the Reds in 2018 after starting his youth career across the channel and enjoyed a Champions League debut from the bench in the defending Premier League champions’ group stage clash with Midtjylland last year. Liverpool are priced at 11/2 to win Europe’s premier competition in the latest football betting, and Koumetio will undoubtedly draw great pride from having played his own small role should the Reds go on to lift the trophy.
Standing 6-foot-5, Koumetio is already an imposing presence in the back line and he is expected to become a major physical force in the heart of Liverpool’s defence in the seasons to come, even if Virgil van Dijk’s injury has come too soon for him to make an impact.
Alfie Devine – Tottenham Hotspur
Having recently made a goal-scoring impact in the FA Cup, Alfie Devine appears poised for a bright future with Spurs. Devine was among those finding the net in the resounding 6-0 win away at non-league side Marine and the 16-year-old will take plenty of confidence from his achievement.
Devine started his youth career with Liverpool, before enjoying a brief spell with Wigan and then joining Spurs in 2020. Despite being released by the Reds, Devine has since gone on to earn international honours with England and is highly thought of by Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho.
After making his FA Cup bow, the midfielder now holds the record as the youngest player ever to play for Tottenham and his coaches will be hoping he goes on to make more history as he matures into a senior star.
Though there are no guarantees plotting the path of young stars still in their teens, the promise shown by this trio appears to suggest a bright future. Judging by recent performance, it’s certainly worth keeping tabs on their progress in the months and years ahead.
